Vintage: Any
Price Range: $1,500 (early 1990s) to $8,000 (early 2000s)
Excluding the road-eating turbocharged WRX variant, the Subaru Impreza is a modest automobile that’s gained incredible popularity in the snowier regions of the United States. Thanks to Subaru’s hallmark all-wheel-drive system, Imprezas are known to get their passengers through snow, ice, torrential rain, and whatever else may be between them and the ski resort they’re invariably heading to.
Inoffensive styling, a solid track record of reliability, and reasonable cargo space (especially in the wagon) have earned the Impreza a place in the hearts of frugal drivers everywhere conditions get bad. If snow is a significant part of your commute, it’s hard to beat any vintage of this car.
Parents will like: Safety of all-wheel-drive.
Students will like: Unstoppable nature of all-wheel-drive
Downsides: Not very fuel efficient considering its size, thanks to (you guessed it) all-wheel-drive.